In medium bowl, sift together 3 cups of the flour, the baking soda, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and salt. Set aside.

In large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and butter. Add the molasses and eggs, stirring until incorporated.

Add the sifted flour and spices. Stir well.

Add the rest of the flour (unsifted is fine), a cup at a time, until the dough is firm, but not dry. (You may not need all of the flour, you may need a little more.).

Divide dough into quarters, roll into a ball & pat into a thick disc shape. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate until easy to handle (about 30 minutes to an hour) or until you're ready to roll it out.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease 2 or more cookie sheets (I use parchment paper instead of greasing) and set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc at a time to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with gingerbread boy cookie cutter, getting as many cut as possible. Transfer cookies to prepared cookie sheets, gently press raisins in for eyes and buttons, if desired.

Re-roll any scraps to get as many cookies as you can.

Repeat with the remaining dough.

Bake, one sheet at a time, for 12-13 minutes.

Allow cookies to cool on sheet, 2 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Decorate boys (or girls) with colored royal or buttercream icing, if desired.